Surfaces Releases Post Show Survey Results

Dallas, TX, Mar. 26--According to the Surfaces 2004 post-show survey results, 88% of Surfaces 2004 attendees came to the show specifically to see new products, while 81% attended to see the latest industry trends. Almost 80% were at the show to attend seminars or network with other professionals. And over 50% came to the show to add or change a supplier, proving that retailers need new options to keep up with consumer demand. “To stay competitive in today’s changing floorcovering market, you have to see what the whole industry has to offer,” said Bill Graybeal, Owner, Graybeal’s Carpet Plus. “Surfaces 2004 provided an excellent opportunity to view the products and network with others. I am sorry I couldn’t bring the entire staff--installers included.” Survey results also indicate that this year’s event proved successful for attendees. An impressive 92% rated the show as good or excellent, while 95% said the exhibits at Surfaces 2004 met or exceeded their expectations. And 93% are already planning to attend Surfaces 2005. Exhibitors also had a successful experience at Surfaces 2004--88% rated the show as good or excellent. They were also very pleased with the quality of attendees: 88% claimed the quality met or exceeded their expectations. “We planned to measure the future of this show in the first two hours; in our case it took less than two seconds,” said John Woolsey, Director of Marketing, Anderson Hardwood Floors. Almost 90% of this year’s exhibiting companies met their goals of writing orders, introducing new products, contacting customers, demonstrating equipment and expanding product distribution. And while selling products is the top reason companies exhibit at Surfaces, 80% of this year’s exhibitors said they use the show to get major brand and company exposure. “We use the show as an opportunity to meet face to face with our key dealers, to review business results and establish goals and action plans for the coming year,” said Ann Merino, Merchandising Manager, Honeywell Nylon. “Surfaces saves us both time and money, since it is the one time each year that our customers come to us.” Approximately 90% of this year’s exhibitors are already making plans to return to Las Vegas for Surfaces 2005; of those companies, 95% intend to at least keep the same size booth space or increase their exhibit size for next year bringing even more products for show attendees in 2005. About 82% of the attendees say attending the show helps them make or influences their buying decisions. In fact, while more than half actually purchased products at the show, many of the rest plan to purchase products following the show. And 89% indicated it is extremely important to see exhibitors and view products when making buying decisions. “There's no question...visitors to our booth spent more time and seemed less hurried; in fact, many came back to our exhibit after they had time to visit other spaces," said Tim Tompkins, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Anderson hardwood Floors. “As floorcovering continues to get more fashionable and consumer demand for more options continues to escalate, retailers are challenged to find new products and ways to differentiate themselves from the competition,” said Michelle Troop, Senior Show Director, Surfaces. “Surfaces is the only place they can find the full spectrum of new options, new suppliers and new ways to improve their bottom line, which is why so much business gets done at Surfaces.” Surfaces 2005 will take place January 26-28, 2005 at the Sands Expo & Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada.